WVU Homecoming celebration connects alumni and students through time-honored traditions, new experiences

Mountaineers from far and wide will come together in Morgantown this weekend (Oct. 18-20) to celebrate their alma mater, reminisce and create new memories by embracing both traditions and new events during West Virginia University Homecoming.

“We are excited to welcome our alumni back home this week,” Kevin Berry, vice president of Alumni Relations and CEO of the WVU Alumni Association, said. “This celebration offers the perfect opportunity for alumni and students to reconnect with friends, relive cherished moments on campus, create new memories and celebrate the traditions that make our Mountaineer community so special.”

The annual Homecoming Parade, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Friday (Oct. 18) on High Street, will feature world-renowned astrophysicists Duncan Lorimer and Maura McLaughlin from the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as the grand marshals, along with the other recipients of the 2024 Homecoming and Alumni Service Awards.

The University will also name two students “Homecoming Royalty” during a halftime ceremony at the football game against Kansas State University Saturday (Oct. 19) at Milan Puskar Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

This year’s Homecoming Court candidates include Maria Amores, a senior organizational communication studies major from Martinsburg; Trixie Calissie, a senior music education major from Wheeling; Emily Coram, a senior accounting major from Wheeling; Megan Frappier, a senior leadership studies major from Cliffwood, New Jersey; Makenzie Keplinger, a senior biology major from Moorefield; Lauren Marquart, a senior elementary education major from Wheeling; Shaye Potter, a senior political science major from Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Alexandria Spiker, a junior finance major from Morgantown; Hannah Warden, a senior health services management and leadership major from Cross Lanes; and Kayla Workman, a senior management information systems major from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Students can vote for Homecoming Royalty from their electronic devices on WVUENGAGE from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 15) and Wednesday (Oct. 16).

Other key events include:  

A special Homecoming edition of Mountaineer Friday will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday (Oct. 18) outside the Mountainlair offering a WVU Bookstore pop-up shop, photos with the Mountaineer mascot, music from U92 and more. The Alumni Truck will also be on-site with mum buttons.

The Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership and the WVU Alumni Association will induct new members into the 2024 Greek Alumni Hall of Fame during a ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday (Oct. 18) in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

Food trucks will be stationed along Prospect Street this year for the community to enjoy dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday (Oct. 18) prior to the Homecoming Parade.

The Center for Black Culture and Black Alumni Association will host a tailgate open to the public beginning at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 19) in the Gold Lot.

The newly formed Student Government Association Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association will host its inaugural open house from 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 19) at the Erickson Alumni Center.

Campus Recreation and the Alumni Association will come together to host the first Homecoming Trick or Trot 5K starting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 20) at the Student Rec Center. Costumes are encouraged and well-behaved dogs are welcome to join their humans.

Race participants are also invited to join Alumni Association members following the 5K to enjoy an ice cream bar at Sundaes on Sunday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 20) outside the Student Rec Center.

Find more Homecoming 2024 information, including the full schedule of events.

-WVU- 

ta/10/14/24

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica McGee
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU Alumni Association 
304-293-4731; Jessica.McGee1@mail.wvu.edu

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